Sophie tried to bury the riotous emotions exploding through her—disgust at herself for enjoying his praise, curiosity about his naked body, shock that she was actually undressing the man when she’d never done that before. Her hasty couplings in the past had never amounted to much and they’d always been in the dark. There was no exploration of bodies, no admiration of the human form. She’d never even really climaxed before, at least not compared to what she’d felt on Emery’s lap at the club. She’d been so close to something great, something truly life altering. That had been a first for her and she couldn’t imagine what it would be like when she finally slept with him. Would it be as wonderful and exciting as those brief moments in the club had promised? She wanted to know, but she wasafraid, too.
Maybe if I got this over real quick…Her fingers shook as she reached for the top button of his shirt. She got three buttons undone before he grasped one of her hands by the wrist and palm, trapping it.
“Easy, little sub. Go slow. The best things in life should be enjoyed, not rushed.” He held her hand, clasping it gently to his chest above his heart. Through the expensive dress shirt, she could feel his heart beat against her skin. A strong, steady beat. Thethump-thumplulled her into a haze of sensual awareness as he finally let her hand go.
She continued to unbutton the shirt, savoring the experience of baring inch after inch of his lightly tanned flesh. She was in control of him now, removing his clothes, and that did make her feel more certain of herself. When the shirt was fully open, she slid her hands up his chest under the fabric before she peeled it off his shoulders. The action brought her unbearably close to his hot body, and her arms slid around him as she pulled the shirt down off his back and arms, as if she was embracing him as she undressed him. Then the shirt fluttered to the floor and he was standing there in just those expensive trousers that hugged his lean hips. The muscles of his abs were like corded steel and she stared at them in shock and hunger. She reached toward him without thinking and placed one palm flat on his abs. The muscles jumped beneath her touch and she could have sworn they both held their breath. Unable to resist, she raised her head just as he leaned down. Their lips feathered in a ghost of a kiss—so delicate, yet potent, like an addictive drug. She shivered, aching for more, needing his lips on hers, but he didn’t press her.
“Not so fast, my little Sophie. Pants next.” The corner of his mouth quirked into a little grin and she focused on breathing as she dropped her head again, staring at the silver button and the zipper on his pants. Was she really doing this?
Pants. She could handle pants. Oh god, she was unzipping his pants!
The top button slipped out of the slit and she had to coax the zipper down. There was no mistaking the massive bulge of his cock barely concealed behind black cotton briefs. She tugged the pants off his hips and they dropped to the floor. He stepped out of them and removed his socks. She raked her gaze over him, admiring the lean muscled calves, powerful thighs, and sculpted chest. The man was beautiful. There was no denying that. And she…she wasn’t. The negative thought had her retreating back a step but he caught her by the upper arms, stilling her retreat.
“Sophie, sweetheart,” he murmured, as though he sensed her fear. “We’re just sleeping tonight. Now, tell me, since your bag hasn’t arrived yet, what do you like to sleep in?”
The intensity of his eyes had softened and his hands were warm on her cold skin, and it was comforting, not frightening. Was this how a normal woman was supposed to feel? A woman not ashamed of her body?
“I like big t-shirts and boxers,” she said.
With a little approving nod, he walked over to a dark wooden dresser and opened the top drawer, pulling out a pair of boxers and a large shirt. When he came to her, he set the items on the bed and twirled a finger.
“Turn around. It is time to undress you.”
She gave him her back and had to fight the urge to close her eyes. He wouldn’t see the scars from behind; was that why he’d insisted she face away? Was it out of respect for her desire to hide them, or his own desire to avoid them?
“Stop thinking so hard. I can almost hear your thoughts, little sub. I know you’re sensitive about your body. I told you how I feel about scars, but I’m allowing you some privacy while we get to know each other.” He reached around from behind, his fingers tracing playful patterns up the front of her corset, almost plucking the satin ribbons like the strings of a cello. When he reached the top of the bodice, the tips of his fingers innocently—or perhaps not so innocently—stroked the tops of her breasts before they unfastened the bow and began to unlace the ribbons. The corset loosened and when it was almost ready to fall off her, he reached for the shirt.
“Lift your arms,” he murmured in her ear.
Her hands shot up and he slid the shirt over and down her upper body. Then he completely removed the corset from beneath her shirt and let it drop to the carpet. She turned around to face him and he pulled her into his arms. The heat of his bare chest sank through his shirt to touch her barely covered breasts. She liked this feeling of closeness, but she feared it would end all too soon.
“There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” The smile on his lips reached his eyes and she couldn’t resist smiling back, until he unzipped the mini skirt and tugged it down. Then his hands were on her bottom. She wriggled, trying to get free, but he swatted her ass with his hand.
“You’re itching for a spanking, sweetheart.” He bent his head and gave her a nibbling little kiss, meant to tease more than seduce. Only after she’d calmed did he hand her the boxers.
“Thanks,” she whispered, still shy as she tugged them on.
“You’re welcome.” He captured her wrists and unfastened the leather cuffs, setting them on the nightstand. “Now get into bed. I’ve had a long day, as have you, I imagine. We’ll talk more about our bargain tomorrow.” He waited until she’d climbed into bed before he flicked off the lights and got into bed with her.
Sophie didn’t mean to go completely rigid, but she did. Like a piece of wood planking, she was stiff, and jerked when he reached for her.
“You haven’t slept with many men, have you?” he asked. In the darkness she couldn’t see much of him. But the faint light of the moon from the distant window reflected in his eyes.
“I’ve slept with men. I’ve just never had any of them stay the night before.” Why she admitted that to him, she wasn’t sure. It was easier in the dark to speak the truth, and she could hide her face, the shame that no doubt colored her cheeks.
“I’ve never let a woman come home with me either.” His admission shocked her, and yet it felt like he’d evened the playing field. This was new for both of them.
“Really?”
“Really.” His strong arms curled around her waist and she slid a few inches closer as he tucked her against his side. After several long seconds, she relaxed bit by bit and then nuzzled her face into the pillow, letting her body absorb his heat and his strength. A woman could get used to this…
***
The clock chime was heavy, sharp, and ominous. Sophie jerked awake as Emery abruptly sat up in bed. Outside the moon was still bright, which meant they’d only been asleep a short while.
“Emery? What’s that matter?” Sleep fogged her brain, but she tried to focus on the fact that he was getting out of bed and walking toward the door. He opened it without a word to her and started down the hall. The patter of rain outside was steady, and the occasional rumble warned her that a storm front was moving through.
Was he sleepwalking? She followed him, wondering where he was going as he reached the top of the main stairs. Just as Sophie put her foot on the top red-carpeted step, the grandfather clock chimed again and thunder growled menacingly from overhead.
